Independents align with PNC

Reports by MALUM NALU
TWO independent candidates from Hela who have won their seats say they will align themselves with the People’s National Congress party to form the next government.
Komo-Margarima MP-elect Manasseh Makiba and Koroba-Lake Kopiago MP-elect Petrus Thomas made the announcement yesterday in Port Moresby, in the presence of Tari-Pori MP and senior PNC member James Marape.  Thomas said he had contested the general election as an independent candidate and the people had elected him.
But he later had a “very serious consultation” with them before he was given the green light to align with the PNC.
“I will be moving over to the PNC camp as an independent to form the next government,” Thomas said.
He said it was only fitting that the four Hela MPs, including the yet-to-be-declared governor, worked together for the good of the province.
“We also believe in stability.
“The PNC Party has maintained stability in the last five years,” he said.
“In terms of development, we need stability.
“We believe that a stable government will maintain its policies and deliver. We see PNC as maintaining stability.
“Indications across the country show that PNC will form the next government.
“It is in my people’s interest that I be part of the government.”
“I will align with the PNC-led camp in Alotau in the formation of the government,” he said.
“We note the PNC Party’s strong commitment to landowner empowerment, including giving free-carry equity to Bougainville and Ok Tedi landowners and provincial governments. We also note Prime Minister Peter O’Neill’s announcement recently in Tari on the free gift of the 4.27 per cent Kroton equity shares in the PNG LNG Project.
“The other reason for a move to PNC camp is that we believe in stability in government,” he said.
Makiba appealed to other independent candidates to follow them to the PNC camp.